Thoughts for the Day

Now all the tax-collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, ‘This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.’

So he told them this parable: ‘Which one of you, having a hundred sheep and losing one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness and go after the one that is lost until he finds it? When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders and rejoices. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbours, saying to them, “Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep that was lost.” Just so, I tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance.

(Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

'Churches Together' is a network of Christian denominations and churches in England with more than 50 national churches drawn from the Anglican, Catholic, Pentecostal, Charismatic, Orthodox and Lutheran traditions, as well as Free Churches, Quakers and others. Today they all celebrate 'Education Sunday', with a theme of "YOU ARE NOT LOST “.

We all know the horrible feeling of having lost something - did we just mislay it, or did we actually lose it? We look in all the likely and unlikely places and sometimes our precious belonging is found in the last place it should be. It's such a relief - whether it's our keys, or a bank card or our phone! The theme today reminds us that people can be lost. Many children and young people feel lost and lonely especially, for it's possible to be lost in a crowd or in your own home. Certainly the Pandemic has not helped feelings of isolation, and many are finding it difficult to pick up friendships, or to overcome depression or other mental problems.

Jesus taught us to find the lost sheep. Children and young people won't just fill up our pews and chairs, we have to go and find them, and show God's love in ways that speak to them. On this Education Sunday let's take the opportunity to think about ways in which we can show God’s love to every child and young person in the schools and colleges and universities in our community, and to those who are educated elsewhere, so that we can truly say, “You are not lost!”

God, we bring you our prayers for other people.
You know our every need and will not let us wander far from your love.
This Education Sunday, we pray especially
for all those involved in education in any way,
especially those who are feeling a bit lost or uncertain for whatever reason.
Bless all children and young people and adults
who are starting out on their next phase of learning,
and inspire all those who help them on their journey.
Amen.

(Material used today is from Resources supplied by CTE)